Test drive by Renault Scenic 2003 - 2009 Minivan

In French fashion

New Renault Scenic as an example of the unity of form and content
 
Second -generation SCENIC’s entry to the market is an excellent occasion to recall that some kind of eight years ago enlightened humanity did not have a concept about compact, or family, minivans. It was the French, having created Scenic in 1996, that the first to declare a new class of cars, a distinctive feature of which was a single-combed body based on the platform and units of golf class machines. True, Mitsubishi Space Star, Citroen Xsara Picasso, and Opel Zafira, then VW Touran and many other models appeared very soon. But the Renault concern was the discoverer, and therefore achieved an outstanding result, which no one has managed to surpass. It is not surprising that the market share of Renault in 2003 in the compactives segment exceeded 25%, and only Zafira began to step on the heels. Therefore, the change of the entire Megane model line, and Scenic, including, occurred as possible on time. For several hours driving a car convinced me that Renault will not surrender a position without a fight, the novelty has all the qualities necessary to fix and increase the success that has fallen to the share of the predecessor.
 
Style metamorphoses
 
The process of reincarnation of the hatchback into the sedan, then in the compartment and in the station wagon, and now - in the compactiven was, in my opinion, exciting and instructive. From the shocking style of the hatchback - to the smaller and swift lines of the sedan and the coupe, to the utilitarian, but not devoid of grace forms of the station wagon, and, finally, to impeccably harmonious Van - all these metamorphoses are very impressive. Designers should pay tribute - they demonstrated both courage and wisdom, managed to create a gamut of cars different in appearance and purpose, and managed to decisively refuse when it was necessary, from excessive avant -garde, while generally preserving the general style of the new generation of Megane. As a result, Scenic is more reminiscent of even standing a step above Espace than a donor hatchback. Of course, the feed is unambiguous from Megane - with vertical, but more rounded rear window (opens separately), with a characteristic oval of the rear door, but no longer overloaded with design elements, with original lanterns. The main thing is that Scenic with all its appearance, noted, emphasized, the originality of the French style, turned out to be very organic, proving confidence in the car. And what could be more important for a family car?
 
Only the scope inside can be more important, but just with this, Scenic is more and more in order. The first thing you note when climbing inside is a huge amount of free space. And the second is that the salon is simultaneously comfortable and looks fresh. In addition, it is perfectly organized: Touch Design technology allows you to control all on -board systems intuitively. And in general, ergonomics is very thought out.
 
The driver's seat and steering column have wide range of adjustments. The chair itself is soft, but with good lateral support, and the profile is so successful that, having spent more than one hour, I did not feel a hint of fatigue. On the right are two comfortable armrests at once - for the driver and the front passenger. A little below a small compartment for fine luggage and a cup holder with an ash. In general, inside - a huge number of drawers, recesses, pockets and hidden cavities, where you can not only put, but hide anything. For example, there are closing niches under the front and rear seats, I will pay attention - in an absolutely flat floor. The total volume of all these containers, excluding the trunk, is 91 liters.
 
The rear passengers can adjust the level of inclination of the backs, and the seats themselves, in addition, can be moved forward - back, increasing (to 226 mm) or decreasing (up to 106 mm) legs space. Accordingly, the volume of the luggage compartment varies between 430 - 480 liters. In addition, a three -component rear seat can be folded both in whole and in parts, or even removed from the cabin. As a result, with fully folded chairs, the trunk volume is 1510 liters, and in their absence - 1840. Moreover, the back of the front seat can be folded, forming a convenient table or a kind of platform for long (up to 2.5 meters) objects.
 
A small recess is located right in front of the driver - for example, for a pack of cigarettes or a mobile phone. There are no instruments in the usual sense of the word. The digital speedometer, the same tachometer, the screen of the navigation system, control lights and a small scoreboard that reports the malfunctions - everything is combined into an electronic block under the visor. The speed, for example, is highlighted in large green numbers, and the engine speed is a line above the corresponding numbers, which, until you turn on the ignition, is not visible at all. And no shooters or round dials are a continuous High -Tech. Of course, I have to get used to it - I personally had to strain my eyes to follow, for example, behind the running line of the tachometer. As well as more or less accurately determined - how much fuel is left in the tank is also not so simple - there are too small notches on the corresponding scoreboard. However, the developers offer the driver not to pay attention to the little things at all - they say, while everything shines green - the car is in order, red appeared - something wrong.
 
Exactly in the middle of the torpedo, the central console is located with a protrusion. It has a small climate control screen, along the edges of which the temperature control buttons with air flows. Closer to the skin sheathed, quite pleasant to the touch, - the engine start button: Scenic, like Megane or Laguna, does not have the usual ignition key, only a small card that does not even have to be inserted into the appropriate slot, just have it with you. Immediately behind the climate installation unit, an audio system with a compact drive player follows. It’s not very convenient to use it: all the buttons are the same, blurred closely, and it is simply impossible to find the volume adjustment without being distracted from the road. Fortunately, the little joystick on the steering column allows you to control the musical center to the touch, without tearing off the hands from the steering wheel. And the sound of the system did not please me too much: the Siemens player with Bosch columns (I generally found out for the first time that this respected company also produces loudspeakers) are clearly not designed for music lovers. On the steering wheel are also located the control buttons of cruise control and the on-board computer. It is only a pity that navigation cannot be controlled with their help.
 
It is very convenient - in the lower part of the central console - there is a gearbox, mechanical or automatic. It is literally at hand, in addition, thanks to such a layout, it was possible to release a place on the floor. Another interesting detail is the hand brake. There is no familiar handle, just as there is no pedal in the floor. The parking brake is activated by a small lever to the left of the driver, and it is removed by him, only with the press on the button. Fortunately, the corresponding information is issued on an electronic board.
 
Safety - first of all
 
And in fact - what could be more relevant for the owner of a family car, if not the safety of relatives and friends? Therefore, five stars, that is, the highest score, with crash tests, plus six pillows - this is a great level of passive safety. And how - with active? However, it is difficult for me to imagine a person who will buy Scenic for street racing. The purpose of the machine itself makes the accent, first of all, on the convenience of management, comfort and reliability.
 
SCENIC almost entirely borrowed a suspension from Megane, with the only difference being that the wheelbase is increased by 60 mm. In fact, this means the best indicators for the smoothness of the course, and partly compensates for the high center of gravity. And you feel the height almost immediately. It is worth a couple of times to go through a turn at a decent speed, as it becomes scary: the cranes of the body are noticeable, and it may seem that the limit, after which the car gets out of control, will come quickly. In fact this is not true. The suspensions have enviable moves and energy intensity, and gliding moments are clearly traced due to the successful adjustment of the steering electrical amplifier. After passing several kilometers, you begin to understand that there is almost no difference between the behavior of Scenic and the usual car.
 
The most powerful version of Scenic with a two -liter gasoline power unit fell the first in my hands. This motor (136 p.) Is of enviable efficiency and allows you to feel quite confident not only in a dense city stream, but also on the auto track. In addition, it is mass-aggregated with a 6-speed manual gearbox, which can be perfectly realized by the potential of a power unit. So, acceleration is very frisky, and a clear algorithm for the work of the gearbox, together with a short and understandable course of the clutch pedal, allows you to leave most competitors behind. The characteristics of the engine itself are quite even - without obvious failures or grabbing. Another thing is the same car, but with a 4 -speed automatic. It seems that the automatic transmission is clearly late with the teams, and the car reacts to the supply of gas as if consuming, not immediately understanding what they want from it.
 
After the first slowdown, the brakes inspire confidence. They are equipped with ABS and the system of distribution of brake forces, and the power of the mechanisms themselves is such that at a speed of 100 km/h, the car requires only 39 meters for a complete stop - one of the best indicators in the classroom. However, powerful brakes are a distinctive feature of not only the top version of Scenic 2.0 - I had their reliability to check their car with a 1.6 engine.
 
I’m going calmly in a small village in a suburbs of Paris, I admire the environs and look for a suitable place for shooting. Suddenly, from a secondary path, the Renault Clio output of the mid-80s, with two persons of Arabic nationality inside, pops up. And towards - a heavy truck. Only emergency braking allowed the accident. So those two did not even think to apologize! In Moscow, such behavior is normal, but in Europe it is still a curiosity when braking, which is noteworthy, the seat belts with the pretensors did not allow me to noticeably shift forward. And the fact that the version with a 1.6 engine is 20 mm in diameter, it seems, has not been reflected in the capabilities of the system.
 
Actually, and the 115-horsepower engine is not from a timid dozen. Of course, according to dynamic indicators, he loses the 2-liter version, and the six-speed mechanics here gave way to 5-speed. But otherwise, everything at the same level is a clear steering wheel, a soft suspension, but with a good feeling, and, also pleasant to note, amazing silence in the cabin. The sound insulation in Renault worked seriously. Even at the maximum speed of the motor in the cabin, it is practically unable to hear, and the aerodynamic noise is minimal.
 
In a word, the running qualities of Scenic left a good impression. I repeat - this is definitely not a car for an active ride, but a family and balanced person will feel confidently and calmly at the wheel of a compactway.
 
Grand Scenic
 
Two days later, already in Toulouse, where the sports megane test was held (about it - in the next AI issue), journalists were offered to try out the elongated version of the car - Grand Scenic. It is 234 mm longer, 5 mm wider and 16 mm higher, which also makes the model closer to the full -size Espace minivan. In addition, it is also important, the Grand Scenic wheelbase is 51 mm larger. But, despite the grown sizes, the running qualities of both modifications are almost identical, which can not be said about the interior. No, the central console and the general decoration of the salon are the same, but the third row of seats appeared: Grand Scenic - already a 7 -seater car. D. when they are not needed, you rest in a special niche in the trunk, while the floor of the compartment remains smooth. Take out the seats in the power and child - you pull by a special lever, and they pop up as if by themselves. Only now I don’t really want to sit on these chairs, especially on the long road - the legs are not enough.
 
And, of course, Grand Scenic is significantly larger than the usual version of the minivan. The area of \u200b\u200buseful containers in the cabin is not 91, but 104 liters. The trunk, depending on the configuration and the position of the seats - 200, 550 or 605 liters, and with completely folded seats of the second and third row - 1920 liters. The difference in price between Scenic and Grand Scenic is only about 1300 euros, which, you see, is not too much for such an increase.
 
Wait not long
 
The exact price of the new Scenic in Russia has not yet been determined. For orientation, I can report that in the salons of French dealers, prices begin at 19,000 euros.
 
Among the competitors are the VW Touran, Citroen Xsara Picasso, Ford Focus C -Max, Opel Zafira and a number of Japanese models. However, the legislator of the fashion in the compactwain class class has its trump cards: original design, 5- and 7-seater modifications, and the cost should not scare customers in our market.
 
Scenic will appear in Russia in June, and Grand Scenic until the end of this year. For Russian buyers, only gasoline versions of cars will be offered, since the decision to supply cars with diesel power units has not been made. The reason is the same - the manufacturer's doubts as domestic fuel.
 
Brief technical characteristics of Renault Scenic
Engine volume, cubic meter. See: 1598 /1998
The number of valves for the cylinder: 4/4
Power, l. With. at about./min.: 115/6000: 136/5500
Max. Torque, Nm/at about. min.: 152/4200: 191/3750
Acceleration to 100 km/ h, p.: 12.5/ 10.3 (11.5)
Maximum speed, km /h: 185 /195 (190)
Average fuel consumption l./ 100 km.: 7.2/ 8.0 (8.6)
Fuel tank volume, l.: 60
Dimensions, mm.: 4259x1805x1620
 
In brackets data for the version with automatic transmission
 
Andrey Osipov
 

Source: Newspaper "Automobile Izvestia" [No. 8 (54), 2004]